Abstract
We use multivariate analyses (ordination and classification) to assess both the floristic uniqueness of the woody vegeation of Sand Forest in relation to a range of other forest types in the region, and the range of variation within Sand Forest. Two broad Sand Forest subtypes and related Ecotonal Forests are described and grouped under the term Tropical Dry Forest, distinct from all evergreen forests in South Africa. Sand Forest, a dry semi-deciduous type in northeastern KwaZulu-Natals defined by the presence of the canopy dominant Cleistanthus schlechteri as well as Hymenocardia ulmoides, Psydrax fragrantissima, Croton pseudopulchellus and Drypetes arguta. Sand Forests form a cohesive group in both DCA and TWINSPAN analyses, with similar composition of canopy dominants at sampled sites. This implies that ecological funcioning is similar across the geographical range in northeastern KwaZulu-Natal. However, turnover of subdominant species between recognisable Sand Forest types emphasizes the need to conserve the full range of extant forests.
Highlights
Maputaland, the northeastern tip of KwaZulu-Natal (Figure 1), forms the narrow southern portion of a large coastal plain extending up the east coast of Africa as far north as Somalia (Watkeys et al 1993)
Analyses were based on two data sets, a ‘Sand Forest’ data subset, sampled for this study, was com bined with a regional Northeastern KwaZulu-Natal data set, to allow comparisons among a range of forest types
We suggest that the term ‘Tropical Dry Forest' be used in South Africa to encompass both Sand Forest and allied dry semideciduous forests
Summary
Maputaland, the northeastern tip of KwaZulu-Natal (Figure 1), forms the narrow southern portion of a large coastal plain extending up the east coast of Africa as far north as Somalia (Watkeys et al 1993). 700-900 mm: Moll & White 1978) on white to deep red sandy soils Despite this botanical importance, the area has only recently been scientifically explored. Moll (1968, 1978, 1980) and Moll & White (1978) used the local term ‘Sand Forest’ to describe this dry deciduous or semideciduous forest occurring on sandy soils. They list a vari ety of common and widespread tree species, including Newtonia hildebrandtii, Cleistanthus schlechteri, Hyme nocardia ulmoides, Balanites maughamii, Ptaeroxylon obliquum and others. In South Africa, it refers to dense forests with numerous trees and shrubs (De Moor et al 1977; Moll & White 1978; Moll 1978, 1980) with a relatively short canopy
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